Two Italian restaurants have been closed down after police found a cannabis farm in a basement... and 50 bullets and cocaine in an office.

Council bosses in Bury have revoked the licenses of the Bellini in Ramsbottom and Unsworth’s La Capannina Ristorante after police alleged that the businesses, which have the same owners, were linked to criminal activity.

But the owners of the businesses deny any involvement with crime and are appealing against the decision.

During a five-hour meeting behind closed doors, Bury council’s licensing panel heard evidence from GMP and from the companies that hold the licences - Il Tavolo Limited and Chioggia Limited, of which couple Giancarlo and Monica Marie Bacci are directors.

Police are said to have found a cannabis farm in a basement underneath the Bellini on Ramsbottom’s Bolton Street. And subsequent investigations, uncovered dozens of bullets and a quantity of cocaine in the other restaurant in Unsworth’s Sunnybank Road.

However, Richard Williams, of London-based law firm, Joleson, who represented the owners, said the bullets had previously been legitimately-owned by Mr Bacci, a former handgun enthusiast.

He told the M.E.N.: “Cannabis was found in a sub-basement of Bellini. It is a two-floor basement which had been rented out. The owners of the restaurant flatly deny any involvement with the cultivation of cannabis.

“As a result of the cannabis being found police raided the offices of La Capannina and found firearms ammunition. Mr Bacci, who is 85, had formerly held a licence for a handgun in the mid 90s. He had been a member of a gun club in Cheetham Hill.

“A box of 50 bullets was found in a desk in the office. They were not for used in crime. Mr Bacci surrender the gun in 1995-97. But GMP has destroyed the records of certificates they had at the time.

“There was also a snap bag of cocaine found in the office. They do not know how that got there. But the office was accessed by all kinds of people, staff, and locals.

“Bellini is currently closed for refurbishment and rebranding due the adverse publicity. La Capannina will continue trading as normal pending an appeal.”

No criminal charges have been brought against against the owners.

Unsworth councillor David Jones, the panel’s chair, said: “We heard loads of evidence from both sides. We decided to revoke both licences as the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety had been undermined.”

In council documents on the case, GMP stated: “The Chief Constable is of the view that there are no conditions which can be imposed on the licence which can mitigate the flaws of the management of the premises.”